Watch Description
What makes the Cleveland 037 Unique:
The Cleveland 037 captures the spirit of precision and artistry that defined early American railroading. Its intricate Art Deco dial, originally crafted in 1927 by the Ball Watch Company, displays a stunning engraved crest at the center—an emblem of distinction that stands out against the softly patinated surface. The open-block style of the blued steel hands adds depth and personality, while the matching seconds hand at 6 o’clock completes the balanced design.
Inside, this watch houses a 19-jewel “Ball-Illinois” movement—a collaboration between the Ball Watch Company and the Illinois Watch Company. Known for their railroad-grade accuracy and exceptional finishing, these movements were built to meet the highest standards of safety and precision. Through the open caseback, you can admire the intricate wave-patterned bridgework, polished gears, and fine engraving that make this piece a true work of American mechanical art.
Encased in machined titanium with a polished bezel and vertically fluted crown, this timepiece blends strength with sophistication. A black Horween Shell Cordovan strap completes the build with classic contrast, while an additional oxblood strap offers a second styling option. The result is a watch that’s as versatile as it is historically significant.
In 1927, the world’s first transatlantic telephone call connected New York and London—an achievement that brought people closer together across continents. Nearly a century later, The Cleveland 037 connects us to another milestone of communication: the artistry and precision of American watchmaking that helped define the modern age.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Ball Watch Company. We call this model "The Cleveland" because the company was located within the Cleveland city limits.
Founded by Webb C. Ball in 1891, Ball Watch Company's watches focused on the railroad industry and had a reputation for quality that was second to none. Mr. Ball famously invented and implemented a standard set of watch inspections and requirements to qualify a watch for use on the railroad at a time when timekeeping was paramount to safety. This was known as a "Standard" or "Railroad Grade" watch. The core of the manufacturing for these watches was performed by Hamilton and Waltham Watch Companies, but the adjustment, finishing, and testing performed by Ball set them ahead of the pack. One of the few companies still in existence, Ball now makes watches in Switzerland and is owned by Hong Kong group Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd.
Legal Disclaimer: All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.
Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2024
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Nickel Plated
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Horween Shell Cordovan Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Ball Watch Company
- Serial Number: B406785
- Manufacture Year: 1927
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 19 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What makes the Cleveland 037 Unique:
The Cleveland 037 captures the spirit of precision and artistry that defined early American railroading. Its intricate Art Deco dial, originally crafted in 1927 by the Ball Watch Company, displays a stunning engraved crest at the center—an emblem of distinction that stands out against the softly patinated surface. The open-block style of the blued steel hands adds depth and personality, while the matching seconds hand at 6 o’clock completes the balanced design.
Inside, this watch houses a 19-jewel “Ball-Illinois” movement—a collaboration between the Ball Watch Company and the Illinois Watch Company. Known for their railroad-grade accuracy and exceptional finishing, these movements were built to meet the highest standards of safety and precision. Through the open caseback, you can admire the intricate wave-patterned bridgework, polished gears, and fine engraving that make this piece a true work of American mechanical art.
Encased in machined titanium with a polished bezel and vertically fluted crown, this timepiece blends strength with sophistication. A black Horween Shell Cordovan strap completes the build with classic contrast, while an additional oxblood strap offers a second styling option. The result is a watch that’s as versatile as it is historically significant.
In 1927, the world’s first transatlantic telephone call connected New York and London—an achievement that brought people closer together across continents. Nearly a century later, The Cleveland 037 connects us to another milestone of communication: the artistry and precision of American watchmaking that helped define the modern age.
Let customers speak for us
The Movement
The engine that powers this watch is an antique American pocket watch movement. All the gears and springs that make it tell time are roughly 100 years old on average. We call these watches the American Artisan Series because we're celebrating the history and legacy of the artisan watchmakers who built this engineering marvel a century ago in the United States.
The Story
Today most pocket watches are scrapped for the gold or silver of the case (the outside of the antique timepiece), leaving the inside (what we call the "movement") as trash.
We take pride in upcycling these pieces of American history by salvaging as many as we can, then preserving them inside our wristwatches.
Our expert team of watchmakers restores the antique movement and then we manufacture a custom wristwatch case here in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Strap
We partnered with Worn & Wound to produce a custom set of straps for our American Artisan Series watches. We now have 15 different colors to choose from including our two Horween Shell Cordovan options. These straps are made in the USA and are based on the Windup Model 2 Premium strap that Worn and Wound offers.
